Comedy Central's Kent Alterman has been promoted to the network's president of content development and original programming, a job in which he will oversee development and production of original content across all platforms.
Alterman, who was previously head of original programming and production, will continue to be based in the network’s offices in Santa Monica, and to report to Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless.
Alterman (pictured, with Amy Poehler) will work to extend existing franchises and push new voices. He will also continue to write his own quotes for news releases, like the one that accompanied news of his promotion.
“I couldn’t be more excited to continue my relationship with Comedy Central," he said. "I couldn’t be less excited either. I really feel I have the perfect level of excitement for this job.”
He will also remain in charge of the network's Talent and Specials team, which produces Comedy Central stand-up series and specials, as well as special events such as the network's celebrity roasts and “Night of Too Many Stars” autism benefit.
Alterman and the talent team will also work more closely with Mitch Fried's Enterprises division, which tries to extend the comedy central brand into merchandise, home entertainment, recordings, live entertainment and publishing. Under the new alignment, Fried will report to Ganeless and Alterman.
Since returning to Comedy Central in 2010, Alterman and his development team have launched new franchises including "Workaholics," "Key & Peele," "Brickleberry," "The Burn With Jeff Ross," and the new "Kroll Show."
He departed the network in 2001, and went on to direct and executive produce the Will Ferrell comedy "Semi-Pro." He also oversaw films including “Elf,” “A History of Violence” and “Little Children" as executive vice president at New Line.
